Hi, other trans and enby writers. Your stories matter. They’re a crucial fabric in the tapestry of traditional publishing.

I want to take a sec to talk about my path to publication and send some encouragement out into the world for those of you who want to pursue it. (1/11)

For the longest time, I didn’t share my stories with anyone, believing mainstream publishing wasn’t interested in or supportive of voices like mine. I saw very little on bookstore shelves that indicated otherwise, particularly in the children’s and YA space I hoped to occupy.

There was virtually no representation when I was a kid either, no stories that reflected my own experiences.

It was 2009 before I read my first story featuring a queer character (ASH by Malindo Lo). It gave me a spark of hope that motivated me to write more of my own.

But it’d take almost another ten years before I started sharing my words, getting feedback, revising, querying agents, etc. The belief that publishing didn’t want stories like mine was so deeply engrained, even after I saw evidence otherwise.

Part of the reason for that is I think because it’s easier to brush off the good and absorb the bad. I could see a list with a dozen critically acclaimed lgbtq YA books on it but it’d be the single person spewing hate in the comments section that I’d remember for months.

Even now, with my debut novel less than two months away from publication, I still sometimes hyper-focus on the negatives. I think that’s fairly standard for writers.

But there have been so many more positives which have made this journey absolutely worth it.

Querying is never an easy process but ANA ON THE EDGE received an influx of support, both from readers and agents (even several who passed on it sent encouraging messages). This is not something I expected but I’m grateful for every kind word that kept me pushing forward.

Because if I hadn’t put myself and my story out there, I never would’ve connected with @thejordache, who’s been nothing but the staunchest advocate for my enby ice skater story, as well as my career as an author.

And if I’d let hateful rhetoric further impede my pursuit of publication, I never would’ve experienced the joy of seeing ANA grow into the novel it is today thanks to the sensitive and insightful guidance of my wonderful editor, Lisa.

The point is, it may seem like transphobia is ubiquitous (and that’s a fair observation because it does come at us from so many angles), but there are people in the writing and publishing communities who are actively supporting our stories.

Find your support system and make sure to support others. Please keep writing your truths. There are so many readers who are waiting to read them (myself included). (11/11)